Izaga 20
1 Iwayini lenza ukudelela lotshwala buyaxabanisa, okhohliswa yilezi izinto kahlakaniphanga.
Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
2 Ulaka lwenkosi lunjengokubhonga kwesilwane; lowo oyizondisayo udela impilo yakhe.
The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him forfeits his own life.
3 Kumupha udumo umuntu ukubalekela ukuxabana, kodwa iziphukuphuku zonke ziphangisa ukuthenga inkani.
It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel.
4 Ivila kalilimi ngesikhathi esifaneleyo; kuthi ngesikhathi sokuvuna liswele amabele.
The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.
5 Izifiso zenhliziyo yomuntu zingamanzi azikileyo, kodwa umuntu ozwisisayo uyazifinyelela.
The intentions of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.
6 Banengi abathi balothando olungapheliyo, kodwa ngubani ongamthola umuntu othembekileyo na?
Many a man proclaims his loving devotion, but who can find a trustworthy man?
7 Umuntu olungileyo uphila impilo encomekayo; babusisiwe abantwabakhe abamfuzayo.
The righteous man walks with integrity; blessed are his children after him.
8 Inkosi nxa ihlezi esihlalweni sayo isahlulela, iyakuhlungula konke okubi ngamehlo ayo.
A king who sits on a throne to judge sifts out all evil with his eyes.
9 Ngubani ongathi, “Ngiyigcinile inhliziyo yami imhlophe; ngihlanzekile kangilasono?”
Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin”?
10 Izisindo ezitshiyanayo lezilinganiso ezitshiyanayo uThixo uyakuzonda kokubili.
Differing weights and unequal measures — both are detestable to the LORD.
11 Lomntwana waziwa ngezenzo zakhe, ngokuthi isimilo sakhe sihle, siqotho.
Even a young man is known by his actions— whether his conduct is pure and upright.
12 Indlebe ezizwayo lamehlo abonayo kokubili kwenziwa nguThixo.
Ears that hear and eyes that see— the LORD has made them both.
13 Ungathandani lobuthongo uzakuba ngumyanga, hlala uvukile uzakuba lokudla okunengi.
Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food.
14 “Kubi, kubi!” kutsho umthengi; esuka lapho usezincoma ngakuthengileyo.
“Worthless, worthless!” says the buyer, but on the way out, he gloats.
15 Likhona igolide lamatshe aligugu amanengi, kodwa izindebe ezikhuluma ulwazi zilivelakancane.
There is an abundance of gold and rubies, but lips of knowledge are a rare treasure.
16 Thatha isembatho salowo owenzela owezizweni isibambiso; sigcine nxa ebambisela owesifazane ongaziphathanga.
Take the garment of the one who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner.
17 Ukudla okuzuzwe ngenkohliso kumnandi emuntwini, kodwa kucina sekungathi udla itshebetshebe.
Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man, but later his mouth is full of gravel.
18 Nxa usenza amacebo dinga izeluleko; nxa usiyahlasela zuza ukuqondiswa.
Set plans by consultation, and wage war under sound guidance.
19 Onyeyayo uyehluleka ukugcina imfihlo, ngakho yehlukana lomuntu okhuluma angathuli.
He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid the one who babbles with his lips.
20 Nxa umuntu ethuka uyise loba unina, isibane sakhe sizacinywa abesemnyameni omubi.
Whoever curses his father or mother, his lamp will be extinguished in deepest darkness.
21 Ilifa elizuzwa lula ekuqaleni alilakubusiswa ekucineni.
An inheritance gained quickly will not be blessed in the end.
22 Ungabokuthi, “Lami ngizakulungisa ngalokhu ongenze khona!” Yekela, uThixo nguye ozakusiza.
Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.
23 UThixo uyazizonda izilinganiso eziguquguqulwayo, njalo kathokoziswa yizikali zokudlelezela.
Unequal weights are detestable to the LORD, and dishonest scales are no good.
24 Izinyathelo zomuntu zikhokhelwa nguThixo. Pho umuntu angayazi kanjani na indlela yakhe?
A man’s steps are from the LORD, so how can anyone understand his own way?
25 Yikuzithiya ukuthembisa ngokuphangisa ukupha ulutho, phambili umuntu aphinde azisole ngalesosifungo.
It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly, only later to reconsider his vows.
26 Inkosi ehlakaniphileyo iyabahlungula ababi; iyabahadla njengelitshe lokuchola.
A wise king separates out the wicked and drives the threshing wheel over them.
27 Isibane sikaThixo siyawuhlolisisa umphefumulo womuntu; sihlolisisa ekujuleni kwemibilini yakhe.
The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, searching out his inmost being.
28 Uthando lokwethembeka kuyayivikela inkosi; ngothando isihlalo sayo sobukhosi sivikelekile.
Loving devotion and faithfulness preserve a king; by these he maintains his throne.
29 Udumo lwamajaha lusemandleni awo, izimvu zekhanda ziyinkazimulo yabadala.
The glory of young men is their strength, and gray hair is the splendor of the old.
30 Izidutshulo lamanxeba kugezisa okubi, lezibhaxulo zihlambulula ingaphakathi.
Lashes and wounds scour evil, and beatings cleanse the inmost parts.
